Davis Cup: the Bologna Final 8 field is set — Czechia knock out the USA and Spain cruise without Alcaraz

The Davis Cup Final 8 field is now complete. Between September 18 and 20, seven ties handed out the tickets to Bologna (November 24-29), where defending champions Italy wait as hosts. Joining the Italians will be Spain, Germany, Great Britain, Austria, Canada, Czechia and South Korea — and the weekend produced two headline stories: Czechia knocked the United States out in Prague and Spain won in Chile without dropping a single rubber, and without Alcaraz. (Sources: daviscup.com, AP, worldtennismagazine.com, Tennis Canada, tennistemple, RFI, T13.)

Prague: Czechia come from behind to eliminate the US Open runner-up

The most anticipated tie delivered the drama. The United States took a 2-1 lead: after Friday's 1-1 (Tien d. Mensik 6-2 6-4 and Lehecka d. Shelton 6-4 6-4), the doubles pairing of Harrison-Krajicek put the Americans ahead while saving four match points. But Czechia swept Saturday's reverse singles: Lehecka beat Tien 6-3 7-5 and Mensik came from behind to beat Shelton 5-7 6-4 6-3, sealing the 3-2 at Prague's O2 Arena.

For Ben Shelton, it has been a week to remember for the wrong reasons: US Open runner-up on Sunday the 13th, then two losses in his two Davis Cup rubbers, the second with his Yonex EZONE 98 — Yonex EZONE 98 (8th gen)from 247,99 € —, the frame behind his best Grand Slam run. The United States, the nation with the most Salad Bowls (32), now extends its title drought to 19 years and misses the Final 8 via the qualifying path. On the Czech side, Jakub Mensik sticks with the Wilson Blade 98 v10 — Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v10from 169,99 € — while Lehecka stays loyal to his Six.One 95.

Quebec City: Auger-Aliassime, hero of the city's first Davis Cup since 1975

Canada delivered in front of history: 3-1 over France at the Centre Videotron. Liam Draxl opened with the biggest win of his career over Arthur Rinderknech (6-2 7-5), and Felix Auger-Aliassime edged Quentin Halys in the night session (7-6(5) 4-6 6-3). France clung on through the doubles — Bonzi-Herbert d. Chan-FAA 7-6(4) 6-3 — but on Saturday the hometown boy turned hero: FAA came back to beat Rinderknech 4-6 7-6(4) 6-4 and sealed the ticket in front of his own crowd with the 2026 Babolat Pure Aero 98 — Babolat Pure Aero 98 (Gen 9)from 269,99 € —, the same frame family as Alcaraz and Rune. His player page is already in the catalog.

Halle: Zverev delivers the final blow to Croatia, a week after the US Open

Germany needed Sunday to see off Croatia (3-2 at the heristo-arena). The doubles was the key: Krawietz-Puetz beat Pavic-Mektic — the Olympic gold-medal pair from Tokyo — 7-5 6-2. And the finishing touch came from Alexander Zverev, who seven days after lifting the US Open beat Dino Prizmic 6-2 6-4 to confirm Germany's spot. The world No. 2 heads to Bologna with the Head Gravity Tour Zverev 2026 — Head Gravity Tour Zverev 2026from 228,95 € —, the limited edition he won Roland Garros and New York with (with a player page and catalog entry of its own).

Santiago: Spain, without Alcaraz and without dropping a rubber

David Ferrer's team completed a clean sweep: 4-0 over Chile at the Estadio Nacional, without losing a single rubber, and a third straight Final 8. Rafael Jodar enjoyed the dream debut — 6-0 6-2 over Cristian Garin in barely over an hour, part of a 20-wins-in-24-matches clay record in 2026 — and Daniel Merida came from behind to beat Alejandro Tabilo (5-7 6-3 6-3) to make it 2-0. The doubles Pedro Martinez-Jaume Munar clinched the tie 6-0 6-3, and the 4-0 was the final flourish. Jodar, the great sensation of Spanish tennis, plays with the HEAD Speed MP 2026 — Head Speed MP 2026from 195,49 € —, already in the catalog with his player page. The only question for November is the familiar one: whether Carlos Alcaraz joins the team in Bologna.

Express tickets: London, Seoul and Vienna

The other three places came with less suspense. Great Britain thrashed Ecuador 4-0 at the Copper Box — their first Final 8 since 2023 — with a winning debut for Toby Samuel (4-6 6-4 6-1 over Andrade), Arthur Fery's 7-5 6-0 and the Patten-Skupski doubles sealing the series. In Seoul, South Korea beat India 3-1 with Kwon Soon-woo clinching the place against Sumit Nagal (6-1 6-2); and in Vienna, Austria beat Belgium 3-1 with Jurij Rodionov as Zizou Bergs' executioner (7-6(6) 6-3). Italy, meanwhile, prepares its defence at home: four straight titles would be their record in the team competition.

Outside the Qualifiers, a gear note from the World Group I: Holger Rune returned to Davis Cup after eleven months and carried Denmark past Bulgaria (3-2), winning the decider against Grigor Dimitrov (3-6 6-3 7-6(4)) with his Pure Aero 98 — the same frame as the catalog entry.

Before the Finals, team tennis has one more date: the Laver Cup in London (September 25-27), with our preview of both teams' racquets. In padel, Premier Padel resumes its season on September 28 with the Rotterdam P2.